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ON  THE  DEATH  OF 


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« . 1 I 


DR  WORCESTER. 


OCCASIONED 


BY  THE  DEATH 


OF  THE 

fteto.  Samuel  Cllorccstct,  2>.  2>. 


DELIVERED  IN  THE  TABERNACLE  CHURCH,  SALEM,  MASS. 

July  12,  1821, 


BY  LEONARD  WOODS,  D.  D. 

ABBOT  PROFESSOR  OF  CHRISTIAN  THEOLOGY  IN  THE  THEOLOGICAL 
SEMINARY,  ANDOVER. 


SALEM  : 

PUBLISHED  BY  HENRY  WHIPPLE. 
PRINTED  BY  FLAGG  AND  GOULD,  ANDOVER. 


/ 


JULY,  1821. 


- 


. 


SERMON. 


• 

AND  SAMUEL  Dlrfb  ; AND  ALL  THE  ISRAELITES  LAMENTED  HIM. 

1 Sam.  xxv.  1 . 

Whenever  a good  man  dies,  the  world  sustains  a loss. 
Though  he  may  have  lived  in  a private  and  obscure  condi- 
tion; there  are  those  who  knew  the  excellence  of  his  char- 
acter, and  must  regard  his  decease  as  a subject  of  mourning. 
But  among  good^hien,  there  is  an  obvious  ground  of  distinc- 
tion. God  has  constituted  his  moral  kingdom,  as  he  has  the 
natural  body,  and  the  body  politic.  Though  there  is  but  one 
body,  there  are  many  members.  And  though  the  mem- 
bers are  all  necessary  ; some  hold  a place  of  higher  im- 
portance than  others,  and  the  loss  of  them  is  more  severely 
felt.  When  the  apostle  touches  upon  this  distinction  among 
Christians  he  does  it  for  the  purpose  of  stigmatizing  a spirit 
of  emulation  and  envy,  and  of  promoting  mutual  love  and 
sympathy , and  a paramount  regard  to  the  good  of  the  whole. 
And  why,  brethren,  should  the  difference,  which  God  has 
made  among  the  members  of  his  spiritual  empire,  ever  ex- 
cite any  other  affections,  than  these  ? It  surely  would  not, 
if  we  well  considered  what  the  difference  is.  For  in 


4 


truth,  that  man  is  marked  with  the  highest  distinction , who 
does  the  most  good.  Real  greatness  consists  not  in  the  in- 
dolent possession  of  a superior  understanding,  or  superior 
worldly  advantages.  Nor  does  it  consist  in  the  most  active 
use  of  such  an  understanding,  or  such  advantages,  except 
for  the  single  purpose  of  doing  good.  All  greatness,  all 
distinction,  showing  itself  in  any  other  way  than  this,  you 
are  at  liberty  to  despise.  But  if  a man  is  great  ip  good- 
ness and  in  usefulness , you  cannot  despise  him , without  des- 
pising the  happiness  of  your  species.  His  greatness  is 
closely  combined  with  the  best  interest  of  the  world.  If 
we  love  the  best  interest  of  the  world,  we  shall  love  the 
man  who  promotes  it ; and  we  shall  love  him  most,  who 
promotes  it  in  the  highest  degree.  In  the  contemplation 
of  that  great  and  blessed  object,  which  benevolence  seeks, 
wc  are  raised  above  sell-interest.  We  foY^et  our  individ- 
ual  importance  ; we  forget  every  thing  which  makes  a 
personal  distinction,  either  in  our  own  favour,  or  in  favour 
of  others.  Let  the  highest  degree  of  good  he  accomplished, 
whether  by  us  or  by  others  as  instruments,  and  we  have 
our  desire.  The  only  distinction  among  men,  which  is  of 
any  real  consequence,  is  that  which  arises  from  the  degree 
of  their  usefulness.  Mere  intellectual  greatness,  or  mere 
worldly  greatness  is  indeed  an  object,  to  which  ambition 
looks  up  with  impatient  aspirations.  But  what  is  it  in  the 
sight  of  God  ? or  in  the  sight  of  good  men  ? It  is  the 
greatness  of  Christian  benevolence,  that  we  admire; — it  is 
the  greatness,  not  of  the  man  who  has  superior  mental 
endowments,  but  of  the  man.  whose  superior  mental  en- 


dowments  arc  all  devoted  to  the  cause  ol  Christ; — the 
greatness  of  the  man,  who,  feeling  that  he  is  not  his  own, 
presents  himself  a living  sacrifice  to  God,  and  exists  only 
for  the  welfare  of  his  kingdom.  This  is  the  greatness 
that  disarms  hostility,  that  puts  envy  to  shame,  that  at- 
tracts universal  love,  and  that  does  not  moulder  in  the 
grave.  And  this,  brethren,  is  the  greatness,  which  every 
Christian  ought  to  seek ; and  which  every  Christian  will 
seek,  not  in  proportion  to  his  pride,  hut  in  proportion  to 
his  benevolence.  • 

As  this  character  of  greatness  is  of  such  importance, 
and  has  always  been  regarded  as  of  such  importance,  in 
the  Christian  community  ; and  as  it  is  inexpressibly  desir- 
able that  it  should  exist  far  more  frequently  than  it  ever 
has  existed  hitherto  ; I shall  think  it  proper  on  this  occa- 
sion, to  inquire  briefly,  by  what  causes,  and  in  what  manner 
such  a character  is  formed. 

Here  I must  begin,  by  ascribing  to  God  all  that  con- 
stitutes excellence  of  character, — all  that  fits  men  for  dis- 
tinguished usefulness.  In  God’s  hand  it  is  to  make  great. 
He  creates  and  sustains  the  immortal  mind,  with  all  its  in- 
tellectual and  moral  powers.  He  creates  and  sustains  the 
body,  with  all  its  vigour  and  activity.  And  it  is  by  his 
Spirit  that  a man  is  new-created — “ created  in  Christ  Jesus 
unto  good  works/'  Every  thing  which  gives  discipline  and 
improvement  to  the  understanding  or  the  heart,  is  from 
God.  Let  it  be  that  the  powers  of  the  mind  are  cultivat- 


6 


ed  and  strengthened  by  the  diligent  use  of  various  natural 
means.  Who  appointed  those  means  but  God  ? And  who 
but  God  gives  a heart  diligently  to  use  them,  and  by  his 
blessing  makes  that  use  successful  ? Be  it  so  that  Chris- 
tians are  sanctified  through  the  truth.  It  is  God  that  sanc- 
tifies them  in  this  very  way.  The  truth  is  his  instrument ; 
and  from  him  comes  all  its  efficacy.  When  therefore  you 
fix  your  eye  upon  a Christian,  who  exhibits  the  character 
of  distinguished  greatness  ; you  see  the  workmanship  of 
God , — the  expression  of  his  power  and  his  goodness.  Ev- 
ery Christian  is  what  he  is,  by  the  grace  of  God.  To  God 
then  be  all  the  glory  of  those  faculties,  which  distinguish 
men  from  the  beasts  of  the  field  ; of  that  holiness,  which 
distinguishes  Christians  from  the  ungodly ; and  of  every 
degree  of  piety  and  usefulness,  which  raises  one  Christian 
above  another. 

I say,  it  is  God  that  makes  great.  But  this,  as  has  been 
suggested,  is  not  to  be  understood  as  in  any  measure  pre- 
cluding the  use  of  means,  or  the  importance  of  human  ef- 
forts. We  are  left  here,  just  as  we  arc  in  any  other  case, 
to  inquire  into  the  process , by  which  God's  design  is  accom- 

It  is  here  presupposed  that  a man  possesses  the  requi- 
site natural  powers,  and  real  goodness  of  heart.  How 
docs  he  attain  to  eminence?  The  general  answer  is,  by 
effort ; in  other  words,  by  the  diligent  application  of  his  ac- 
tive powers  to  the  proper  objects  of  pursuit.  It  is  a principle 


which  I need  not  take  pains  to  illustrate,  that  exercise,  or 
repeated  effort  strengthens  all  our  affections,  and  powers  of 
action,  and  confirms  all  our  habits.  But  the  effect  ot  ex- 
ercise varies  according  to  circumstances.  In  the  Christian 
who  attains  to  eminence,  the  high  effect  of  exercising  the 
intellectual  and  moral  powers  may  be  accounted  for  in  the 
following  way. 

First.  He  directs  the  powers  of  his  mind  to  a great 
and  worthy  object ; the  salvation  of  men — the  good  of  Christ's 
kingdom.  If  a man  turns  his  thoughts  and  labours  to  the 
good  of  his  country , his  heart  grows  patriotic  and  noble. 
But  if  he  exercises  his  thoughts  and  affections  upon  Christ 
and  his  kingdom,  the  effect  on  his  character  will  be  as 
much  higher,  as  the  glory  of  Christ  and  the  value  of  his 
kingdom  are  more  excellent,  than  any  earthly  object.  The 
heart  becomes  assimilated  to  the  object  of  its  attachment. 
He  that  contemplates  and  loves  the  glorious  character  of 
Christ,  is  by  degrees  changed  into  the  same  image.  He 
that  employs  himself  in  so  great  a work,  as  building  up 
the  kingdom  of  Christ,  will  have  his  character  constantly 
ennobled  by  the  nature  of  his  employment.  He  will  de- 
rive a greatness  from  the  greatness  of  the  concern  in  which 
he  is  occupied.  Just  as,  on  the  contrary,  a man  contracts 
the  character  of  meanness , by  laying  out  his  thoughts  and 
labours  on  a mean  and  contemptible  object. 

But  the  Christian,  who  acquires  the  character  of 
greatness,  contemplates  the  glory  of  Christ  frequently , and 


8 


pursues  the  welfare  of  his  kingdom  with  intense  affection. 
And  it  is  very  much  in  proportion  to  the  frequency  of  his 
benevolent  and  pious  efforts,  and  the  strength  of  feeling 
with  which  he  makes  them,  that  he  experiences  a saluta- 
ry influence  upon  his  own  mind.  When  a man  comes  to 
such  a state,  that  the  glory  of  Christ  and  the  precious  in- 
terests of  his  church  are  the  objects  of  his  steady  contem- 
plation from  day  to  day  ; when  he  finds  them  present  to 
his  thoughts,  rising  up  and  lying  down  ; when  they  occur 
spontaneously;  when  their  occurrence  is  attended  with 
delight ; when  other  things,  which  formerly  had  a place 
in  his  mind,  in  a great  measure  retire ; when  these  divine 
objects  get  so  strong  a hold  of  his  thoughts,  that  no  plea- 
sures, no  cares,  no  sufferings  can  exclude  them  ; in  short, 
when  his  attachment  to  the  cause  of  Christ  becomes  his 
ruling  passion, — the  main-spring  of  his  conduct ; then,  in 
every  thing  excellent  and  praise-worthy  he  experiences  a 
rapid  growth.  Whatever  is  earthly  in  his  nature  dies 
away.  His  thoughts  and  affections  learn  to  range  in  a 
higher  and  brighter  region.  He  acquires  moral  purity, 
and  enlargement,  and  strength,  with  a success  unknown  be- 
fore. He  advances  farther  towards  the  elevated  charac- 
ter of  just  men  made  perfect,  in  a few  days,  than  Chris- 
tians, at  the  common  rate  of  improvement,  in  a long  life. 

My  brethren,  do  any  of  you  aim  at  eminence  in  Chris- 
tian piety  and  usefulness  ? Sec  here  what  course  you  ought 

to  pursue. And  sec  here  the  course  actually  pursued 

by  that  distinguished  servant  of  Christ,  who  has  recently 


9 


been  taken  from  us.  Beloved  man  ! Wherever  Ins  name 
is  known,  not  only  among  those  who  were  personally  at- 
tached to  him,  hut  through  the  Christian  world,  it  is  as- 
sociated with  all  that  is  precious  in  the  cause  oh  Zion. — 
With  emotions  which  cannot  he  uttered,  I shall  now  at- 
tempt to  aid  you,  in  soberly  estimating  the  loss  which  the 
world  sustains,  in  the  death  of  so  great  and  good  a man. 
But  let  none  of  us  forget,  that  Ins  greatness  and  goodness 
were  the  gift  of  God — the  gift  of  God  to  his  church. 

Our  departed  brother  wras,  in  the  best  sense,  a man  of 
distinguished  character.  He  possessed  eminent  qualifica- 
tions, and  attained  to  eminent  usefulness.  The  qualities 
of  his  understanding  and  heart  were  such,  as  would  have 
rendered  him  beloved  and  useful  in  any  condition.  His 
virtues  would  have  shone  even  in  obscurity.  Had  he 
lived  a private  Christian,  in  the  most  retired  village  ; the 
inhabitants  would  have  been  enlightened  by  his  wisdom, 
and  benefited  by  his  pious  example  and  benevolent  ser- 
vices. Had  he  lived  in  days  of  persecution,  and  had  the 
power  of  his  enemies  immured  him  in  a prison;  he  possessed 
intrinsic  excellencies  of  character,  which  would  have  shone 
with  a salutary  splendour,  even  there.  His  meekness  and 
self-government  would  have  checked  the  impatience  of  his 
fellow  sufferers  ; his  affectionate  counsels  would  have  im- 
proved and  comforted  them  ; and  the  holy  ardour  of  his 
prayers  and  praises  would  have  taught  them  the  happi- 
ness of  devotion. 


10 


But  liis  peculiar  greatness  arose  from  the  circumstances 
in  which  he  was  placed , and  the  relations  which  he  sustained. 
It  is  indeed  very  obvious,  that  lie  had  an  original  structure 
of  mind , exactly  suited  to  the  work  which  God  designed 
lor  him.  Still  it  was  his  situation, — it  was  his  being  actu- 
ally called  to  his  work,  and  successfully  engaged  in  accom- 
plishing it,  which  made  known  the  value  of  his  talents,  and 
led  to  their  highest  improvement.  In  a very  important 
sense,  a man  is  made  by  circumstances.  The  period  of 
time  when  he  lives;  the  particular  place  where  he  acts; 
the  dispositions  and  pursuits  of  those  with  whom  he  is 
most  nearly  connected ; the  nature  of  the  duties  allotted 
to  him,  and  the  degree  of  early  success,  by  which  his  sub- 
sequent labours  are  animated,  all  conspire  to  impart  to  his 
character  the  qualities,  which  it  finally  exhibits. 

Permit  me  now  to  glance  at  some  of  the  leading 
events  in  the  life  of  our  departed  brother,  considered  sim- 
ply as  contributing  to  develop  his  faculties,  to  form  his 
character,  or  to  constitute  his  usefulness. 

I have  no  doubt  that  a skilful  biographer,  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  early  part  of  Ins  life,  could  easily  fix 
upon  a variety  of  incidents,  which  tended  at  once  to  unfold 
the  peculiar  properties  of  lus  mind,  and  to  produce  those 
habits  of  thought,  and  feeling,  and  action,  which  afterwards 
became  chief  ingredients  in  Ins  character.  God  knows 
for  what  service  he  designs  every  man;  and  he  frequently 
gives  such  a direction  to  the  events  of  childhood  and 


1 1 


youth,  that  the  peculiar  properties  of  mind,  which  will  be 
of  use  in  the  highest  state  of  advancement  and  of  e (fort  in 
after-life,  shall  early  have  opportunity  to  be  exercised  and 
strengthened;  and  while  the  man  himself  and  his  friends 
around  him  know  nothing  of  the  matter,  God  is  preparing 
him  for  his  work  ; and  preparing  him  by  means,  which 
will  afterwards  be  seen  to  have  been  exactly  suited  to  the 
end,  and  so  will  be  a subject  of  grateful  acknowledgmeni 
and  admiration. 

How  far  this  was  the  case  with  our  departed  friend, 
others  can  determine,  who  arc  in  possession  of  the  requi- 
site information.  My  remarks  can  extend  no  farther,  than 
to  the  commencement  of  his  public  life. 

He  was  first  called  to  discharge  the  duties  of  a Chris- 
tian minister  in  a situation,  attended  with  some  peculiar 
trials.  Those  trials  were  important  means  of  qualifying 
him  for  the  wrork,  which  he  had  subsequently  to  perform. 
No  man  ever  acquires  strength  and  decision  of  character, 
without  contending  with  difficulties.  If  all  is  smooth  and 
prosperous,  the  mind  contracts  inactivity  and  softness.  But 
the  frequent  occurrence  of  straits  and  sufferings  raises  a 
mind,  happily  constituted,  to  a high  tone  of  resolution,  and 
prepares  it  for  firmness  of  purpose,  and  energy  of  action. 

Our  brother  passed  through  his  first  scene  of  public 
labour,  with  high  advantage.  I will  not  say  that  be  avoid- 
ed every  mistake;  though  it  would  be  difficult  to  name 


12 


any  in  particular,  with  which  he  was  chargeable.  Nor 
will  I say, that  he  did  not  fall  short  in  any  ministerial  duty; 
though  there  is  reason  to  believe  he  was  remarkable  for 
his  diligence  and  fidelity.  Before  his  removal  from  his 
first  charge,  he  gave  evidence  of  uncommon  discretion  and 
forethought;  of  patience  and  self-control  ; of  great  strength 
of  understanding  and  integrity  of  heart,  and  of  a warm, 
steady  attachment  to  the  interests  of  the  church. 

In  the  year  1803,  he  entered  on  the  duties  of  the 
ministry  in  this  place.  The  station  was  highly  important; 
and  it  involved  duties,  which  no  man,  without  special 
qualifications,  would  have  been  competent  to  meet.  I 
need  not  say,  what  is  well  known  to  the  public,  that  he 
was  uncommonly  attentive  to  his  ministerial  and  pastoral 
duties.  He  laboured  with  wisdom,  and  zeal,  and  self-de- 
nial; with  feelings  of  tender  sympathy  and  love;  with 
firmness  and  perseverance.  He  kept  his  eye  upon  the 
spiritual  interests  of  the  church.  It  was  his  heart’s  desire 
and  constant  prayer  to  God,  that  sinners  might  he  convert- 
ed, and  believers  abound  in  good  works.  A revival  of 
religion,  which  he  was  permitted  more  than  once  to  wit- 
ness as  the  fruit  of  his  labours,  he  regarded  as  the  most 
desirable  of  all  events.  As  a preacher,  he  exhibited  sound- 
ness of  faith,  manly  strength  of  intellect,  a cultivated  taste, 
and  a warm  heart.  His  preaching  was  always  serious, 
affectionate,  and  instructive;  frequently  animated  and  im- 
pressive. His  church  and  people  knew, — every  parent 
and  every  child  knew,  that  he  loved  their  souls,  and  sought 


13 


their  everlasting  welfare.  In  all  cases  of  difficulty,  which 
occurred  in  the  church  or  congregation,  he  was  a most  ju- 
dicious counsellor ; in  affiiction,  a friend,  a father,  a com- 
forter. In  a general  view  of  his  ministry,  every  one  must 
say,  he  matsnijicd  his  ajjicc.  It  is  a rare  thing,  that  a min- 
ister enjovs,  in  an  equal  degree  with  him,  the  affection  and 
esteem  of  his  people.  Ami  I w ish  I w ere  not  obliged  to 
say,  that  it  is  a rare  thing  for  a minister,  in  an  equal  de- 
gree, to  love  the  sacred  office.  There  was  nothing  more 
distinctly  marked  in  his  character,  than  the  strong,  perma- 
nent affection,  by  which  he  wras  united  to  the  pastoral 
work.  He  cleaved  to  it,  as  to  his  life.  You  might  as  easily 
persuade  others  to  dissolve  the  dearest  domestic  relations, 
as  you  could  have  persuaded  him  to  dissolve  Ins  pastoral 
relation  to  the  church.  With  this  close  adherence  of  his 
affections  to  the  holy  office,  he  could  not  but  become  more 
and  more  assimilated  to  the  objects,  with  which  that  office 
made  him  conversant.  The  regular  performance  of  its 
duties,  prompted  by  his  heart,  as  wrell  as  his  conscience, 
and  accompanied  with  emotions  so  delightful,  imparted  an 
increasing  sanctity  and  elevation  to  his  character.  He  be- 
came more  and  more  a consecrated  man.  If  I mistake 
not,  it  was  evident  to  his  intimate  friends  generally,  that, 
during  the  last  years  of  his  life,  he  rose  much  higher  than 
before,  in  every  attribute  of  an  eminent  Christian,  and  an 
eminent  minister  of'  the  gospel.  This,  I am  aw  are,  is  to 
be  ascribed  to  the  effectual  operation  of  God.  But  God 
operates  through  means.  And  while  I would  not  omit  to 
notice  the  improvement,  which  our  dear  brother  doubtless 


14 


derived  from  the  repeated  and  severe  afflictions,  with 
which  he  was  visited  in  his  own  family,  and  from  other 
dispensations  of  divine  providence ; I cannot  but  think,  that 
one  of  the  principal  means  of  his  improvement  was  the  dil- 
igence, the  affection,  and  the  pleasure,  with  which  he  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  the  ministry.  The  employments  of 
a Christian  minister,  animated  by  the  true  spirit  of  his  of- 
fice, must  contribute,  directly  and  powerfully,  to  advance 
him  in  the  exercise  of  every  virtue,  and  to  give  him  the 
visible  impress  of  exalted  goodness.  And  as  this  is  the 
case,  it  must  surely  be  a minister’s  fault,  in  a sense  admit- 
ting of  no  alleviation,  if,  with  motives  so  powerful,  and  of 
so  high  a sanctity,  constantly  acting  upon  him,  and  while 
executing  functions  which  continually  associate  him  with 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  he  still  indulges  low  and  grovelling 
affections,  or  contents  himself  with  ordinary  attainments  in 
piety. 

But  Dr  Worcester’s  usefulness  extended  itself  beyond 

J 

Ins  particular  charge.  His  reputation  for  practical  wisdom, 
and  for  an  acquaintance  with  the  principles  and  forms  of 
ecclesiastical  proceedings  in  New  England,  occasioned  ver\ 
frequent  applications  to  him  for  counsel  and  assistance. 
And  the  public  sentiment  respecting  him  was  finally  such, 
that  scarcely  an  instance  occurred  of  great  difficulty  in  our 
churches,  where  his  advice  was  not  earnestly  sought.  The 
collected  thoughts,  the  forcible  reasoning,  the  foresight,  the 
decision,  which  he  exhibited  in  the  business  of  ecclesiastical 
councils,  gave  him  an  unequalled  influence  over  those  who 


15 


agreed  with  him  in  principle,  while  they  made  him  an 
object  of  dread,  though  of  honest  respect,  to  his  opposers. 
But  by  nothing  did  he  more  distinguish  himself  in  relation 
to  such  concerns,  than  by  his  sincere  love  of  peace,  and  his 
success  in  reconciling  contending  parties,  ami  in  restoring 
order  and  tranquillity. 

The  frequent  agency  he  had  in  the  transaction  of  ec- 
clesiastical business  was  itself  an  important  article  in  the 
collected  sum  of  his  usefulness,  and  at  the  same  time  it 
contributed  to  increase  all  the  estimable  qualities  of  his 
character.  It  brought  him  into  a closer  connexion  with 
the  ministers  and  churches  of  Christ,  made  him  more  fa- 
miliarly acquainted  with  their  circumstances,  and  gave  him 
a more  lively  interest  in  their  welfare.  His  extraordinary 
prudence,  his  ability,  his  affectionate  concern  for  the  order 
and  prosperity  of  the  churches,  as  well  as  for  the  useful- 
ness of  ministers,  gained  him,  in  a higher  and  higher  de- 
gree, the  public  confidence,  and  prepared  the  way  for  him 
to  enter,  with  brighter  prospects,  into  a more  extensive 
sphere  of  public  duty. 

He  was  distinguished  for  his  ability  and  success  as  a 
defender  of  divine  truth.  His  feelings  were  indeed  averse 
to  religious  controversy  ; though  the  peculiar  structure  of 
his  mind,  and  his  habit  of  close,  patient  thinking  qualified 
him,  as  has  been  generally  acknowledged,  to  be  a distin- 
guished controversial  waiter.  I should  think  it  wholly  in- 
congruous on  this  occasion,  to  agitate  the  question,  whether 


16 


he  or  his  opponents,  in  any  case,  had  the  advantage  in  ar- 
gument. 1 leave  every  man  to  decide  this  question  for 
himself.  But  I think  it  the  least  that  justice  requires  of 
me,  to  remark,  that  those  who  receive  the  common  doc- 
trines of  the  New  England  churches,  and  of  the  Reform- 
ed churches  in  Europe,  must  consider  it  as  a special  favour 
of  heaven,  that  they  have,  I will  not  say  the  opinions,  but 
the  arguments  of  Dr  Worcester  on  the  grand  controver- 
sy of  the  present  day.  A writer  possessing  such  a culti- 
vated, discriminating  mind,  as  he  possessed,  —such  manly 
thought,  such  moderation  and  candour,  united  with  such 
earnestness  and  decision,  would  be  deemed  a credit  to  any 
cause,  in  any  age  of  the  world. 

But  this  assembly  well  knows,  that  I have  not  yet 
mentioned  what  chiefly  accounts  for  the  elevation  of  our 
dear  brother’s  character,  or  chiefly  constituted  the  useful- 
ness of  his  life.  1 refer  to  his  connexion  u'ith  the  Mission- 
ary cause;  first,  with  the  Massachusetts  Missionary  Society, 
of  which  he  was  many  years  Secretary , and  afterwards 
President ; and  then  finally,  and  chiefly,  with  the  Foreign 
Missions  from  America. — You  will  not  understand  me  as 
intending  to  imply,  that  there  is  any  office  on  earth,  more 
exalted  and  holy,  than  the  Christian  ministry,  or  any  object 
more  important  than  that,  which  the  ministry  is  designed 
to  promote.  The  fact  is,  the  Missionary  cause  is  the 
same  as  that,  which  every  minister  and  every  Christian 
labours  to  promote.  It  is  the  same  cause,  taken  in  its 
most  extended  sense.  It  is  the  cause  of  benevolence, — the 


17 


cause  of  Christ,  in  relation  to  the  whole  unevangelized  world. 
And  the  office  which  our  departed  brother  tilled,  in  con- 
nexion with  the  Missionary  cause,  was  the  office  of  a Chris- 
tian minister,  in  its  largest  sense.  As  to  the  extent  of  its 
design,  it  resembled  the  office  of  the  apostles,  who  were 
commissioned  to  w go  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the 
gospel  to  every  creature.”  The  office  to  which  1 allude, 
was  not  strictly  tliat  of  a Missionary  ; but  of  a general 
agent  for  the  missionary  cause.  Now  if  I would  show  you 
exactly  what  Dr  Worcester  was  ; if  I would  fix  your  eye 
upon  the  highest  distinction  which  marked  his  character ; 
I must  not  mention  merely  his  original  powers  of  mind,  nor 
his  diligence  and  success  in  the  acquisition  of  knowledge, 
nor  his  assiduous  and  acceptable  discharge  of  the  duties  of 
a pastor  and  preacher,  nor  his  useful  efforts  in  regard  to 
the  order  and  prosperity  of  particular  churches,  or  to  the 
right  conduct  of  our  ecclesiastical  affairs  generally,  nor  his 
able  defence  of  the  scripture  doctrine  of  the  divine  glory  of 
Christ ; — I must  not  stop  with  any  or  all  of  these  ; but 
must  present  the  beloved,  the  honoured  man  before  you, 
as  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  American  Board  of 
Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions.  It  was  for  this  office 
he  was  disignated  in  the  purpose  of  God.  It  was  for  this 
office,  so  important  and  arduous,  that  all  his  previous  offices 
and  labours  and  trials  contributed  to  prepare  him.  It  was 
in  this  office,  that  his  peculiar  talents  found  room  for  their 
most  appropriate  and  perfect  exercise.  Here  he  was  in 
his  proper  place,  his  element.  And  here , through  the  mer- 
3 


18 


cy  of  God,  liis  character  acquired  its  brightest  and  purest 
lustre. 

But  I wish  no  man  to  satisfy  himself  with  these  gene- 
ral remarks.  Let  the  subject  be  thoroughly  examined. 
No  office  is  of  any  consideration,  except  on  account  of  the 
end,  which  is  to  be  answered  by  it.  If  the  office  of  Cor- 
responding Secretary  was  really  important,  it  must  have 
been  because  Missions  to  the  heathen  world  are  impor- 
tant. Would  you  then  form  a correct  judgment  of  the 
usefulness  of  the  beloved  man,  whose  death  we  are  called 
to  lament,  you  must  consider  the  value  of  that  cause , which 
was  so  near  his  heart,  and  for  the  promotion  of  which  he 
exhausted  the  best  energies  of  his  nature. 

But  i^  it  necessary  for  me,  in  this  age  of  Christian 
knowledge  and  Christian  effort,  to  produce  arguments  to 
prove  the  importance  and  excellence  of  the  Missionary 
cause  ? Arc  there  any  among  us,  who  will  award  to  our 
departed  brother  the  honour  of  sincere  and  pious  endeav- 
ours, but  doubt  the  soundness  of  his  judgment  in  directing 
them  to  the  accomplishment  of  such  an  end  ? Are  there 
any,  who  can  witness  the  zeal,  the  liberality,  the  sacrifices 
and  prayers,  which  are  employed  lor  the  promotion  of  the 
Missionary  cause,  and  say,  they  are  all  employed  in  a use- 
less or  doubtful  enterprise — the  cause  they  are  designed  to 
promote  is  not  worthy  of  such  exertions — and  the  man 
who  devotes  his  life  to  that  cause,  though  he  may  deserve 
our  candour  for  his  honesty,  and  our  rcsjiect  for  his  talents. 


19 


and  our  love  for  the  goodness  of  his  heart,  must  have  our 
compassion  for  his  weakness  ? — Gladly  would  I remove 
the  doubts  and  misapprehensions  of  any  who  view  the 
cause  of  missions  in  such  a light.  Anti  gladly  would  I re- 
move the  lukewarmness,  and  excite  the  active  zeal  of 
others,  who  have  better  views. 

Will  you  then  estimate  the  importance  of  the  Mis- 
sionary cause,  from  its  grand  design  ? What  is  that  design, 
but  the  salvation  of  sinners  perishing  in  the  darkness  of'  pa- 
ganism ? Now  are  not  the  souls  of  men  in  heathen  lands 
as  immortal  as  ours ? And  is  not  their  immortality  stamped 
with  as  great  worth,  as  ours  ? If  then  we  deem  it  impor- 
tant that  our  souls  should  be  saved,  and  our  immortal  exist- 
ence be  made  happy ; is  it  not  equally  important  that  those, 
who  are  bone  of  our  bone  and  flesh  of  our  flesh  in  pagan 
countries,  should  obtain  the  same  blessings  ? Has  not  all 
Christendom  pronounced  that  to  be  an  excellent  precept, 
which  requires  us  to  love  our  neighbours  as  ourselves  ? And 
can  any  one,  who  is  guided  by  this  rule,  and  who  has  any 
proper  regard  to  his  own  eternal  happiness,  think  lightly 
of  the  eternal  happiness  of  any  fellow-creatures  ? But  if 
the  salvation  of  the  heathen  is  so  important ; no  man  can 
question  the  importance  of  those  efforts,  which  are  directed 
to  the  single  purpose  of  furnishing  them  with  the  means  of 
salvation,  and  of  making  them  heirs  of  all  its  blessings. — If, 
indeed,  the  human  race  were  in  such  a moral  condition,  as 
the  lax  theology  of  the  day  represents ; if  men  had  no  de- 
pravity to  be  subdued  by  that  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 


20 


which  attends  the  preaching  of  the  gospel ; if  they  had  no 
sins  to  be  pardoned  and  no  pollution  to  be  washed  away  by 
atoning  blood ; and  if  those,  who  have  never  known  the 
name  of  Jesus,  had  as  good  a prospect  of  heaven,  as  any 
in  Christian  lands  ; we  might  quiet  all  our  anxieties  respect- 
ing the  heathen,  and  indulge  feelings  of  sincere  benevolence 
towards  them,  without  any  efforts  for  their  conversion. 
And  I am  very  willing  to  concede,  that  for  those,  who  deny 
what  we  believe  to  be  the  doctrines  of  revelation  in  regard 
to  the  character  and  prospects  of  man,  it  is  every  way 
consistent  to  think  the  Missionary  cause  of  no  value,  and 
to  look  with  the  coldest  indifference  on  all  that  is  done  to 
convert  the  heathen  world.  But  if  all  men  are  w by  na- 
ture children  of  wrath;”  and  if  there  is  no  other  name 
under  heaven  whereby  they  can  be  saved,  but  the  name 
of  Jesus  ; and  if  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  is  the  grand, 
appointed  means  of  bringing  men  to  enjoy  that  salvation  ; 
then  it  is  utterly  impossible  to  separate  the  cause  of  benev- 
olence from  the  cause  of  missions  ; and  no  friend  of  man 
can  be  content,  without  making  every  possible  exertion  to 
send  the  gospel  to  all  nations.  Did  the  Son  of  God  deem 
it  necessary  to  come  down  from  heaven,  and  suffer  and 
die,  to  procure  salvation  for  sinners  ? And  can  we  deem  it 
of  no  consequence  that  they  should  be  made  acquainted 
with  that  salvation?  If  Christianity  is  of  any  value  to  us, — 
if  it  has  done  us  any  good  ; it  is  certainly  of  as  great  value 
to  the  heathen,  and  may  do  as  much  good  to  them.  Say, 
was  Christianity  any  blessing  to  those  who  were  converted 
by  the  labours  of  the  Apostles?  Was  it  any  blessing  to 


21 


our  forefathers  in  Europe,  who,  in  former  ages,  were  turn- 
ed from  the  basest  idolatry,  and  made  members  of  Christ's 
kingdom  ? — Think  of  the  difference  between  the  inhabi- 
tants of  New  England,  and  the  people  of  those  countries 
where  pagan  ignorance  prevails.  To  what  is  all  this  de- 
ference owing,  but  to  the  Christian  religion  ? And  must  not 
those  labours  be  important,  which  are  one  day  to  secure 
to  idolatrous  nations  all  that  is  precious  in  our  holy  religion, 
and  to  render  them  as  enlightened,  as  pious,  as  happy,  as 
the  best  Christians  here  ? Just  imagine  all  the  millions  of 
Asia,  Africa,  and  America,  who  are  now  in  a state  of 
heathenism,  actually  converted,  formed  into  Christian 
churches,  engaged  publicly  and  privately  in  worshipping 
God,  observing  all  the  commands  and  ordinances  of  the 
gospel,  and  living  as  examples  of  righteousness,  and  peace, 
and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost.  See  parents,  once  bowing 
down  to  dumb  idols,  and  practising  the  most  degrading 
vices,  now  walking  before  their  households  in  uprightness 
of  heart,  and  bringing  up  their  cliildren  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord.  See  children  listening,  with 
weeping  tenderness,  to  the  voice  of  Christian  instruction. 
See  angels  rejoicing  over  sinners  brought  to  repentance. 
See  believers  abounding  in  good  works  ; in  the  depth  of 
affliction,  submitting  to  God ; in  death,  rejoicing  in  hope  of 
eternal  glory.  Would  not  such  a state  be  infinitely  better, 
than  their  present  state  of  stupid  idolatry,  and  of  brutal 
ignorance  and  wretchedness  ? — The  friends  of  the  Mission- 
ary cause  are  attempting  to  accomplish  all  this ; and  to 
accomplish  it,  not  for  one  generation,  but  for  all  genera- 


22 


tions,  to  the  end  of  time.  Where  is  the  man,  that  can 
question  the  excellence  of  this  attempt  ? And  who,  that 
loves  his  fellow-creatures,  can  refrain  from  rejoicing  in  the 
most  distant  hope,  that  the  attempt  will  be  successful  ? — 
If  there  is  any  thing  absolutely  to  forbid  such  a hope,  then 
I grant,  that  the  attempts  of  Christians  to  convert  the 
world,  though  prompted  by  benevolence,  would  lose  their 
value,  and  be  stamped  with  folly.  But,  my  brethren,  are 
we  forbidden  to  indulge  this  hope  ? Is  the  conversion  of 
the  heathen  world  impracticable  ? Has  not  God  Almighty 
power  enough  to  convert  them  ? Has  he  not  benevolence 
enough  ? Are  not  the  provisions  of  the  gospel  sufficiently 
large  and  abundant  ? Is  not  the  way  that  is  opened  to 
heaven  sufficiently  broad  ? Have  not  many  actually  been 
converted,  who  were  once  as  far  from  righteousness,  as 
they  ? We  indeed  believe  that  men  in  heathen  lands  are 
much  more  depraved  and  degraded,  and  much  more  disin- 
clined to  embrace  the  gospel,  than  the  opposers  of  mis- 
sions believe  them  to  be.  We  see  more  and  mightier  ob- 
stacles, than  they  do,  to  the  success  of  the  Missionary 
cause.  But  we  find  no  reason  for  despair.  M ere  the 
difficulties  in  the  way  of  Christianizing  the  heathen, 
arising  from  the  circumstances  of  heathen  society,  from 
heathen  customs  and  manners,  from  the  inveteracy  of 
heathen  superstitions,  and  from  that  carnal  mind  which  is 
every-where  enmity  against  God ; — were  the  difficulties 
arising  from  these  sources  far  greater  than  they  arc  ; we 
should  still  have  confident  hopes  of  success;  hopes  resting, 
not  on  the  natural  tendencies  of  the  heart,  nor  on  the  effi- 


23 


cacy  of  human  persuasion  or  power  to  counteract  those 
tendencies  ; but  on  the  promise  of  God, — on  the  power 
and  faithfulness  of  God, — on  that  divine  grace,  which 
shows  its  peculiar  excellence,  by  superabounding  where 
sin  hath  abounded.  Brethren,  the  conversion  of  the 
world,  though  impossible  for  man,  is  an  easy  work  lor 
God.  The  conversion  of  the  heathen  is  as  easy,  as  the 
conversion  of  our  ancestors  was,  or  as  our  own  conver- 
sion. It  was  as  great  an  effort  of  divine  power  and  divine 
love  to  save  any  of  us , as  it  would  be  to  save  stupid  idola- 
ters in  the  pagan  world.  And  as  God  is  the  common  Fa- 
ther of  men,  and  is  no  respecter  of  persons;  why  should 
we  suppose  he  will  confine  his  special  favours  to  a small 
portion  of  our  race  ? Why  should  we  form  such  an  opin- 
ion of  that  Being  who  made  the  world,  and  whose  tender 
mercies  are  over  all  his  works,  as  to  think,  that  he  is  not 
as  willing  to  exert  his  power  in  behalf  of  the  heathen , as  in 
our  behalf ; or  that  he  will  not  be  as  ready  to  prosper  our 
endeavours  to  convert  sinners  in  heathen  lands,  as  in  our 
own  country  ? 

But  I cannot  dwell  on  this  subject.  Nor  is  it  necessa- 
ry that  I should.  For  it  seems  really  impossible  that  any 
man.  who  considers  the  Christian  religion  a blessing,  and  who 
has  imbibed  the  least  degree  of  its  benevolent  spirit,  should 
not  desire  its  universal  diffusion,  or  that  he  should  not  re- 
joice in  the  various  exertions  now  made  to  bring  the  whole 
world  under  its  influence.  Objections  against  the  mission- 
ary cause  are  consistent  enough  from  the  mouths  of  Deists 


24 


and  Atheists  ; but  for  Christians  to  make  them,  is  a shock- 
ing absurdity.  It  is  just  as  though  they  should  say,  we 
have  received  the  Christian  religion — we  have  been  en- 
lightened by  its  heavenly  doctrines,  purified  by  its  influ- 
ence, and  in  a thousand  ways  have  experienced  its  bless- 
ings. And  now,  we  are  willing  it  should  stop  where  it 
is,  being  quite  indifferent  whether  its  blessings,  so  impor- 
tant to  ns,  are  ever  communicated  to  the  hundreds  of  mil- 
lions who  are  perishing  without  it. — But  I cannot  consent 
to  answer  objections  against  the  missionary  cause  from 
those,  who  call  themselves  Christians.  It  is  too  late  in 
the  day.  Henceforth,  if  any  man  would  urge  such  objec- 
tions, let  him  have  the  honesty  and  truth  first  to  avow 
himself  an  infidel. 

Here  then,  brethren,  we  have  a cause  of  the  highest 
conceivable  moment.  Other  enterprises  for  the  welfare 
of  man  are  benevolent  and  useful.  We  honour  them  all. 
We  wish  them  a growing  and  abundant  success.  But  the 
Missionary  cause  is  superior  to  all  others.  It  is  more  be- 
nevolent, more  exalted,  more  glorious.  It  reaches  to  all 
the  human  family.  It  aims  at  nothing  less,  than  to  com- 
municate the  blessings  of  the  everlasting  gospel  through 
the  whole  extent  of  the  earth’s  population.  And  notwith- 
standing all  the  difficulties  which  stand  in  its  way,  and 
which  are  so  apt  to  discourage  our  faint  hearts,  it  has  a 
certain  prospect  of  success.  The  undertaking,  in  which 
the  friends  of  Missions  arc  now  engaged,  is  one,  upon  which 
future  generations  will  look  back,  as  we  do  upon  the  la- 


hours  of  the  apostles,  and  of  succeeding  Missionaries,  in 
christianizing  particular  parts  of  the  world.  They  will 
look  back,  and  bless  God,  that  he  put  it  into  the  hearts 
of  his  people  at  this  day,  to  begin  the  work  of  love. 
They  will  look  back,  and  bless  God  for  its  accomplish- 
ment. And  when  the  converted  myriads  of  Bombay,  of 
Ceylon,  of  Jerusalem  and  Asia  Minor,  of  the  Sandwich 
Islands,  and  the  wilderness  of  America  shall  call  to  mind 
the  commencement  of  those  elforts  in  this  country,  which 
brought  them  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  they  will  re- 
member our  dear,  lamented  W orcester,  and  will  associate 
his  beloved  name  with  all  that  was  done  for  their  salva- 
tion. In  the  history  of  the  Christian  church,  they  will, 
from  generation  to  generation,  read  the  history  of  our  hon- 
oured Secretary,  the  principal  agent  in  forming  our  various 
Missionary  establishments  abroad,  and  m all  the  efforts 
made  by  Christians  in  America  for  their  support.  And 
those  who  read  his  history  in  future  ages,  will  form  a far 
juster  estimate,  than  we  can,  of  the  importance  of  the  of- 
fice which  he  filled,  and  of  the  cause  which  he  served. 

My  hearers  will  not,  I hope,  charge  me  with  a need- 
less digression  in  what  I have  said,  when  they  consider  that 
the  character  of  the  beloved  man,  who  has  been  taken 
from  us,  was  in  reality  identified  with  the  Missionary  cause. 
If  the  Missionary  cause  is  insignificant ; so  must  we  con- 
sider the  man,  who  made  an  offering  of  himself  for  its  ad- 
vancement. But  if  that  cause  is  great  and  excellent, — if 
it  is.  in  truth,  the  cause  of  human  salvation,  the  cause  of 
4 


26 


infinite  love  ; then  the  character  of  the  man,  who  had  so 
close  a relation  to  it,  and  so  distinguished  an  influence  in 
promoting  it,  must  have  derived  from  that  relation  and 
that  influence,  a corresponding  greatness  and  excellence ; 
and  the  office  which  was  assigned  him,  as  agent  for  so  glo- 
rious a cause,  must  have  been,  in  the  highest  degree,  ele- 
vated and  responsible. 

But  I should  be  far  from  doing  justice  to  the  charac- 
ter of  our  Corresponding  Secretary , if  1 should  pass  over, 
with  no  more  particular  attention,  the  manner  in  which  he 
executed  the  functions  of  his  office.  In  every  office  which 
he  previously  sustained,  he  so  united  talent  and  fidelity,  as 
to  gain  an  honourable  place  in  the  public  esteem.  But  in 
this  last  office,  he  appeared  before  the  world  with  a char- 
acter of  more  finished  excellence.  In  this  last  office,  all 
his  talents  and  acquisitions,  as  a scholar  and  a minister,  and 
all  his  virtues  as  a Christian,  combined  their  influence  to 
produce  one  grand  result.  And  permit  me  to  say,  that 
when  we  look  at  his  agency  in  this  great  concern,  we  see 
what  God  intended  by  the  peculiarities  of  his  character. 
Here  those  peculiarities  were  all  turned  to  account.  They 
conspired  with  the  other  attributes  of  his  mind  to  produce 
in  him  such  a remarkable  fitness  for  his  work,  that  no  one 
was  left  to  doubt  for  what  God  designed  him.  Our  be- 
loved Secretary  was  as  manifestly  in  his  proper  place  in 
the  kingdom  of  Christ,  as  the  hand  or  the  head  is  in  its 
proper  place  in  the  natural  body.  In  the  station  which 
he  finally  held,  he  exhibited  a greater  symmetry,  and  n 


27 


brighter  and  stronger  expressiveness  in  the  features  of  Ins 
character,  than  ever  before.  And  now,  you  might  as  well 
think  of  doing  justice  to  the  character  of  Moses,  without 
describing  his  agency  in  delivering  the  children  of  Israel 
from  Egypt  and  leading  them  through  the  wilderness,  or 
of  Paul,  without  exhibiting  him  as  the  Apostle  of  the  Gen- 
tiles, as  to  the  character  of  Dr  Worcester,  without  de- 
scribing him  in  this  highest  and  most  arduous  sphere  of  his 
labours. 

The  manner  in  which  he  filled  this  office,  you  may 
learn  from  facts.  Learn  it  from  those  Reports  of  the 
Board  which  he  wrote,  especially  the  two  last ; which,  I 
will  venture  to  say,  would  not  suffer  by  comparison  with 
any  performances  of  the  kind,  ever  published  in  America, 
or  in  Europe.  Learn  it  from  his  correspondence  with  the 
Missionaries,  should  that  interesting  correspondence  ever  be 
made  public.  Learn  it  from  the  character  of  our  various 
Missionary  establishments  in  different  parts  of  the  world. 
The  whole  plan  of  these  establishments,  the  principles  on 
which  they  are  conducted,  and  the  success  which  has  at- 
tended them,  are  before  the  public.  And  I think  it  im- 
possible that  any  competent  judge  should  not  perceive  the 
superior  wisdom  which  they  display.  They  evidently 
make  an  advance,  in  some  important  respects,  upon  pre- 
ceding establishments.  They  are  all  calculated  for  per- 
manent operation,  and  for  permanent  and  increasing  utility. 
They  are  conducted  so  manifestly  according  to  the  dic- 
tates of  common  sense,  and  of  sober,  Christian  judgment, 


28 


that  they  have  already  done  much  towards  silencing  the  ob- 
jections of  opposers,  and  will,  I am  confident,  soon  unite  all 
candid,  pious  men  m the  cause  of  Missions. — Learn  too  the 
manner  in  which  our  brother  filled  his  office,  from  the  influ- 
ence he  had  with  the  community,  and  the  success  which 
uniformly  attended  his  earnest  appeals  to  them,  in  behalf 
of  the  funds  of  the  society.  The  American  people  are  a 
people  of  many  eyes  and  ears,  and,  when  possessed  of  suf- 
ficient evidence,  arc  not  prone  to  form  an  incorrect  judg- 
ment. They  will  not  continue  to  invest  a man  with  the 
highest  degree  of  influence  over  them,  unless  his  conduct 
entitles  him  to  entire  confidence.  This  is  specially  true  in 
regard  to  such  a subject  as  this.  Had  there  been  any  de- 
fect of  the  requisite  talents  in  the  Secretary,  or  had  there 
been  any  thing  exceptionable,  or  even  suspicious,  in  his 
public  or  private  conduct;  the  treatment  he  would  have 
had  from  the  community  would  have  been  very  d liferent 
from  what  he  uniformly  received.  The  various  plans  of 
Missionary  operation,  adopted  In  the  Prudential  Commit- 
tee, have  repeatedly  involved  the  Board  in  expenses,  far 
beyond  their  resources.  Had  the  good  people  of  our 
country  suspected  any  want  of  wisdom  in  those  expensive 
plans,  or  in  him  who  had  a principal  agency  in  concerting 
them ; they  would  not,  at  his  solicitation,  have  so  prompt- 
ly increased  their  contributions,  and  so  generously  relieved 
from  embarrassment  the  operations  of  the  Board. 

The  evidences  of  the  distinguished  character  of  our 
Secretary,  which  I have  now  suggested,  are  before  the 


L 


29 

public.  But  there  are  other  evidences,  and  those  oi  a 
most  interesting  nature,  which  have  necessarily  been  con- 
cealed from  the  public  eye  ; 1 mean  the  steady,  long-con- 
tinued intenseness  of'  his  mental  labours  in  private,  and  the 
part  sustained  by  him  in  the  deliberations  of  the  American 
Board,  and  especially  of  the  Prudential  Committee.  Could 
the  friends  of  our  Missionary  exertions  have  seen  him  in 
those  deliberations,  and  those  intense  labours  of  mind,  they 
would  have  seen  him  in  his  strength;  and  would  have 
learned  something  of  the  secret  spring  of  those  systematic, 
public  movements,  by  which  the  American  Board  and 
American  Christians  have  been  aiming  to  enlighten  and 
save  the  heathen. 

It  was  one  of  the  peculiar  excellencies  of  Dr  Wor- 
cester, as  agent  for  such  a cause,  that  he  had  the  habit  of 
investigating  a subject  more  'patiently  and  thoroughly , and , in 
all  difficult  cases,  of  suspending  his  judgment  longer,  than 
most  other  men.  His  mind  was  not  indeed  distinguished 
for  that  rapidity  of  thought,  which  might  have  helped  him 
to  decide  and  act  with  great  promptness,  as  well  as  pro- 
priety, in  ordinary  concerns,  but  which,  in  business  of  great 
weight  and  difficulty,  might  have  disqualified  him  for  de- 
ciding or  acting  at  all.  He  had  the  superior  advantage  of 
that  slower  and  more  exact  movement  of  thought,  of  that 
longer  reach  of  intellect,  and  that  more  particular  and  more 
consummate  deliberation,  which  qualified  him  to  look  through 
all  the  relations  of  a great  and  complicated  subject ; to 
foresee  the  distant  results  of  measures  under  consideration  : 


30 


to  foresee  dangers,  and  by  seasonable  precaution  to  avoid 
them  ; and  to  carry  forward  a systematic  plan,  involving 
the  greatest  interests  of  the  world,  to  a gradual,  but  sure 
accomplishment.  He  was  the  man,  who,  in  these  vast 
concerns,  had  nothing  that  savoured  of  presumption;  no- 
thing precipitate  ; nothing  showy,  visionary,  or  extrava- 
gant; and  nothing  of  transient  utility.  He  took  time  to 
form  his  judgment ; but  when  formed,  it  seldom  needed 
reconsideration.  I might  say  of  him,  what  could  be  said 
of  few  men  living,  that  such  was  the  fairness  and  thor- 
oughness of  his  investigations,  and  the  judiciousness  of  his 
decisions,  that  it  was  scarcely  necessary  to  inquire. into  the 
expediency  or  feasibility  of  any  measure,  which  he  delibe- 
rately recommended.* 


It  must  be  considered  as  a special  token  of  divine  fa- 
vour, that  a man  of  such  a character  was  raised  up  at  a 
time,  when  exertions  so  benevolent  and  extensive  were  to 
be  made,  and  that  he  was  permitted  of  heaven  to  devote 
himself  so  long  to  the  concerns  of  our  Foreign  Missions. 
Gladly  would  I increase  the  public  esteem  and  affection 
which  generally  fall  to  the  lot  of  men,  who  become  public 
agents  in  business  so  weighty  and  complicated.  The  cares, 

* To  guard  against  too  exclusive  a sense  of  the  above  remarks, 
I must  be  permitted  here  to  express  the  same  confidence  in  the  other 
principal  agent  of  1 he  American  Board,  who  was  so  constantly  and 
intimately  associated  with  the  Corresponding  Secretary,  and  whose 
talents,  devotion  to  public  duty,  and  indefatigable  labours,  entitle 
him  to  (he  respect,  affection  and  gratitude  of  all  who  love  the  cause 
of  Christ. 


31 


and  labours,  and  anxieties,  to  which  they  are  incessantly 
exposed,  would,  il’  fully  known,  excite  more  general  sym- 
pathy. Without  supposing  them  exempt  from  the  mistakes 
and  imperfections,  always  incident  to  good  men,  I am  fully 
persuaded  that,  on  the  principles  of  human  nature,  a sta- 
tion which  is  so  responsible,  and  which  so  far  identifies 
their  reputation  and  comfort  with  the  spread  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion,  removes  them  to  the  greatest  distance  from 
temptations  to  self-interest ; alfords  the  strongest  security 
to  the  uprightness  of  their  conduct,  and  gives  them  no 
ordinary  claim  to  public  confidence. 

It  was  one  of  the  most  valuable  qualifications  of  Dr 
Worcester,  and  one  of  the  most  striking  proofs  of  his 
greatness,  that  difficulties,  however  various  and  unexpected, 
never  disconcerted  him ; opposition  and  danger  never  pro- 
duced perturbation.  He  could  experience  many  a tempo- 
rary discomfiture,  without  being  either  subdued,  or  dis- 
couraged. In  those  emergencies,  which  agitate  and  over- 
whelm men  of  ordinary  minds,  he  collected  new  strength ; 
his  feelings  rose  to  higher  animation,  and  his  understanding 
to  mightier  efforts.  In  many  cases  which  occurred  in 
the  prosecution  of  his  arduous  business,  he  could  see  no 
present  means  of  relief.  Difficulties  multiplied,  and  pul 
on  an  appalling  aspect.  But  in  him,  there  was  no  sink- 
ing, no  trembling.  The  ultimate  success  of  the  under- 
taking was  inseparably  connected  in  his  mind,  with  the 
faithfulness  and  almighty  agency  of  Jehovah.  He  had 
confidence  in  God,  and  expected  great  things  to  he  done 


32 


in  this  age  of  wonders.  At  times  his  way  seemed  to 
he  hedged  up  with  difficulties.  But  he  had  no  doubt  the 
difficulties  would  all  be  cleared  away.  Now,  it  was  a 
night  of  thick  darkness.  But  he  expected  the  morning 
would  come  with  its  cheering  light.  In  the  greatest 
straits,  he  was  so  entirely  a stranger  to  that  despondency 
which  enervates  the  mind,  that  he  was  all  the  while  spon- 
taneously putting  himself  into  a state  of  preparation  ior 
more  powerful  action.  When  others  were  disheartened, 
then  was  the  time  for  him  to  go  forward.  Under  every 
pressure,  he  acquired  greater  decision  of  purpose,  and 
more  intense  ardour  of  feeling  in  favour  of  his  object,  and 
became  more  fruitful  in  arguments  to  prove  its  excellence, 
and  in  expedients  to  secure  its  accomplishment. 

I shall  mention  one  more  property  which  belonged  to 
the  character  of  our  departed  brother ; which  is,  that  in 
regard  to  the  various  objects  of  Christian  benevolence,  his 
mind  was  well  balanced,  and  Ins  zeal  well  proportioned.  I 
do  not  mean,  that  he  gave  such  a portion  of  his  own 
thoughts  and  feelings  and  labours  to  each  benevolent  ob- 
ject, as  agreed  exactly  with  its  comparative  importance. 
No  intelligent  being,  who  is  not  infinite,  can  ever  do  this. 
But  I mean,  that  his  judgment  was  not  so  biassed  by  the 
business  which  engrossed  his  attention,  that  he  overlooked 
the  importance  of  the  business  in  which  other  good  men 
were  engaged.  He  guarded  in  a good  measure  againsi 
the  fault,  to  which  every  man  in  a public  station  is  liable, 
namely,  that  of  looking  so  earnestly  at  his  own  particular 


33 


object,  as  to  lose  sight  of  others.  Although,  as  Corres* 
ponding  Secretary,  he  was  occupied  constantly,  and  for  so 
long  a time,  with  the  labours  of  an  office  more  public  in 
its  nature,  and  more  extensive  in  its  design  ; he  never 
ceased  to  feel  the  importance,  or  to  love  the  duties  of  the 
pastoral  office.  His  zeal  for  the  Missionary  cause  did  not 
lead  him  to  undervalue  the  great  and  successful  exertions 
of  the  present  day,  to  promote  other  benevolent  objects. 
Nor  did  his  zeal  for  Foreign  Missions  prevent  his  feeling 
a deep  interest  in  Missionary  efforts  for  the  benefit  of  our 
own  country.  It  was  obvious  to  him,  and  it  was  a senti- 
ment, which  he  took  great  pleasure  in  cherishing  and  ex- 
pressing, that  the  various  objects,  which  Christians  are  now 
labouring  to  promote,  are,  in  the  most  important  respects, 
one,  and  are  all  entitled  to  a far  more  liberal  and  efficient 
patronage,  than  they  have  ever  yet  obtained. 

I have  now,  I trust,  faithfully,  though  not  with  the 
skill  I could  have  wished,  portrayed  the  leading  features  of 
Dr  Worcester’s  public  character.  I have  represented 
him  as  a man  of  distinguished  eminence  in  the  church. 
But  pause  here,  brethren,  just  long  enough  to  consider 
again,  summarily,  in  what  his  distinction  mainly  consisted. 
He  had  nothing  of  that  brilliancy  of  genius  or  of  eloquence, 
and  nothing  of  that  enchanting  popularity  of  manners, 
which  gains  rapturous  admiration  and  loud  applauses  from 
the  multitude.  Part  of  his  distinction  consisted  in  his  great 
distance  from  all  this.  He  indeed  had  a powerful  and 
well  cultivated  mind,  and  a taste  of  no  ordinary  refinement. 


>4 


34 


But  if  you  look  attentively  at  the  man,  you  will  see  that 
his  distinction  consisted  in  that  which  worldly  ambition 
would  never  covet.  It  consisted  not  in  the  emoluments, 
or  the  splendours,  or  the  honours  of  his  place.  No.  It 
consisted  in  his  filling  an  office  of  vast  and  eternal  conse- 
quence ; an  office  involving  labours,  and  burdens,  and  anx- 
ieties, and  sufferings,  which  are  insupportable  to  human 
strength,  and  which  must  render  any  man,  who  sustains 
them,  an  object  of  public  compassion,  rather  than  of  envy. 
It  consisted  in  his  pursuing  the  great  business  of  that  office 
with  intensity  of  thought;  with  simplicity  of  aim;  with 
inextinguishable  zeal ; with  the  consideration  and  prudence, 
which  experience  inculcates  ; and  with  the  perseverance 
and  activity  of  a man,  who  knows  the  greatness  and  good- 
ness of  his  undertaking,  and  who,  relying  not  on  the  re- 
sources of  his  own  mind,  but  on  the  help  of  God,  and  on 
the  uncontrollable  movements  of  his  providence,  resolves 
on  its  perfect  execution.  It  consisted,  in  short,  in  his  con- 
secrating himself  and  all  that  he  had  to  a cause,  superla- 
tively excellent,  and  in  his  studying,  and  labouring,  and  suf- 
fering so  much,  and,  through  the  divine  blessing,  so  success- 
fully, for  its  advancement.  Thus  you  see  that  the  distin- 
guished excellence  of  his  character  was  such,  that  we  must 
have  something  better  than  ambition , to  aspire  after  it,  and 
yet  something  worse  than  envy  itself,  not  to  do  it  reverence. 

But  we  must  come  to  the  closing  scene  of  that  life, 
which  was  so  full  of  great  and  useful  actions.  Unrcmitted 
labour  had  created  or  increased  various  bodily  infirmities. 


35 


Those  infirmities  had  for  some  time  been  assuming  a more 
and  more  alarming  aspect.  The  consent  of  onr  friend  to 
visit  the  establishments  at  Brainerd  and  Elliot  was  in  part 
produced  by  his  paternal  solicitude  for  the  Missionary 
cause  in  those  places,  and  in  part  by  a desire  to  repair 
that  constitution,  which  his  solicitude  and  his  long-continued 
efforts  for  the  Missionary  cause  had  almost  undermined. 
But  that  consent  was  not  yielded  without  much  anxious 
and  devout  consideration,  and  the  best  counsel  of  physi- 
cians and  friends.  As  an  arrangement  of  divine  provi- 
dence, it  may  seem  full  of  mystery,  that  he  should  be  re- 
moved far  away  from  his  dear  wife  and  children,  from  his 
pastoral  charge,  from  his  brethren,  and  friends,  and  native 
region,  to  die  in  the  wilderness.  What  could  have  appear- 
ed more  desirable  to  us,  than  that,  in  his  last  sickness,  his 
pains  should  be  alleviated  and  his  heart  comforted,  by  the 
tender  assiduities  of  his  own  beloved  family.  They  would 
have  craved  the  opportunity  of  thus  ministering  to  him  in 
his  sufferings,  and  of  hearing  from  his  dying  lips  his  last 
paternal  counsels,  as  one  of  the  most  precious  blessings, 
ever  to  be  enjoyed  on  earth.  And  what  could  have  ap- 
peared to  be  more  desirable,  or  to  promise  more  good  to 
the  Missionary  cause,  than  for  his  brethren  and  fellow-la- 
bourers to  have  some  seasons  of  free  consultation  with  him 
in  his  last  days,  and  to  be  made  acquainted  with  the  views 
and  emotions,  which  must  have  been  produced  in  a mind, 
so  mature  and  elevated  as  his,  by  the  visible  approach  of 
death,  and  the  dawn  of  eternal  day.  But  the  sovereign 
appointment  of  God  was,  that  he  should  go  far  hence,  to 


36 


sicken  and  die.  The  pains  he  took  to  learn  the  will  of 
God  respecting  his  absence,  and  the  considerations,  which 
finally  convinced  his  hesitating  judgment  of  the  expediency 
of  the  voyage,  stated  particularly  in  a letter  to  the  Treas- 
urer, must  have  given  entire  satisfaction  to  the  public.  So 
must  his  subsequent  reflections,  as  exhibited  in  the  same 
letter. — “ It  has  been,”  he  says,  “ no  slight  satisfaction  to 
“ my  mind,  that  I came  hither  in  obedience  to  God’s  direc- 
“ tion,  and  not,  as  I would  humbly  trust,  without  some  de- 
“ gree  of  filial  submission,  and  confidence,  and  hope.  What 
“ the  end  is  to  be,  is  not  yet  to  be  read.  It  may  be  the 
“ final  exit  from  all  earthly  scenes,  and  the  dropping  of 
“ this  slender  tabernacle,  though  far  away  from  its  kindred 
“ dust,  yet  in  the  place,  whether  in  the  sea,  or  upon  the 
“ land,  appointed  by  sovereign  goodness  for  its  rest  till  the 
rising  day. — It  may  be  the  accomplishment  of  something 
“ for  life  and  immortality  to  the  wanderers  of  the  wilder- 
u ness,  or  dwellers  in  the  dark  places  of  the  earth,  by  an 

instrumentality  so  feeble,  as  to  make  it  manifest that 

“ the  excellency  of  the  power  must  have  been  of  God.” — 
“ At  the  age  of  fifty,  with  a family  requiring  a father’s  as 
“ well  as  a mother’s  care, — a people  holding  his  heart 
“ with  a thousand  ties, — a study,  his  loved  retreat,  ‘ Fast 
“ by  the  oracles  of  God,’ — responsibilities  the  most  weigh- 
“ ty,  and  objects  of  attention  and  action  for  which  only  he 
w would  live  and  labour, — one  could  not  leave  home  for  an 
“ absence  so  long,  and  with  prospects  so  precarious,  with- 
“ out  many  reluctances  and  regrets,  and  thoughts  of  seri- 
“ ous  import,  and  movements  of  the  inmost  heart.” — “ But 


37 


“ what  is  time,  or  place,  or  outward  condition  1 — God  is  at 
“ all  times,  and  in  all  places  the  same ; and  to  feel  that  we 
* are  in  him  and  he  m us,  is  enough  for  happiness.  1 o 
feel  that  we  are  where  he  would  have  us  be,  and  doing 
u what  he  would  have  us  do,  is  all  that  for  ourselves  we 
“ should  desire.*’ 

In  the  following  quotation  from  the  same  letter,  he 
expresses  his  mature,  unwavering  judgment  as  to  the  cause 
of  Missions. — uOne  thing  is  settled  in  my  mind;  and  that 
“ is  a full  and  delightful  conviction,  that  the  cause  of  Mis- 
**  sions  has  never  held  too  high  a place  in  my  estimation,  or 
“ engaged  too  large  a share  of  my  attention. — It  transcends, 
u immeasurably  transcends  the  highest  estimation  of  ever)7 
**  created  mind.  And  what  is  the  sacrifice  of  health,  what 
“ the  sacrifice  of  life,  to  such  a cause  ? Be  the  event  what 
“ it  mav, — recovered  health,  or  early  death, — I never  can 
“ regret  what  I have  done  in  this  work  ; — but  only  that 
*’  I have  done  so  little,  and  with  a heart  so  torpid.” 

It  would  be  highly  interesting,  were  not  my  time  ex- 
hausted, to  trace  the  progress  of  our  beloved  brother, 
amid  weariness,  and  infirmity,  and  pain,  and  yet  amid  many 
benevolent  exertions,  from  New  Orleans  to  our  Indian  es- 
tablishments. The  heart  of  Jacob  was  not  more  fondly 
set  on  going  down  to  Egypt  and  seeing  Joseph  before  he 
died,  than  his  heart  was,  on  visiting  those  Missionary  sta- 
tions. At  a little  distance  from  Elliot,  he  wrote  the  fol- 
lowing apostolic  letter  to  the  Missionaries  at  that  place  ; 
a letter  which  most  strikingly  shows  you  the  sacred  pas- 


38 


sion  which  possessed  and  ruled  his  heart.  He  says, — 44  In 
“ various  scenes  and  changes ; the  perils  of  the  sea  and  per- 
44  ils  of  the  wilderness ; in  much  weakness,  weariness,  and 
44  painfulness,  my  heart  has  been  cheered  with  the  anticipa- 
“ tion  of  being  refreshed  at  Elliot.  At  present  however,  it 
“ seems  to  be  the  will  of  our  ever  to  be  adored  Lord  and 
“ Master,  that  the  anticipation,  so  fondly  entertained,  should 
“ not  be  realized.  I bow  to  his  sovereign  pleasure,  always 
44  good, — infinitely  good.  Still  my  heart  melts  with  longing, 
44  with  tenderness  towards  that  consecrated  spot— towards  all 
44  the  members  of  the  Missionary  family,  both  those  whom  I 
44  have  seen,  and  those  whom  I have  not  seen ; and  towards 
44  the  dear  children  of  the  forest,  the  objects  of  benevolent 
instruction  and  labour  and  care.  May  the  God  and  Fa- 
44  ther  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Father  of  mercies  and 
“ the  God  of  all  grace,  bring  you  nearer  and  nearer  to  him- 
“ self,  and  keep  you  more  entirely  in  his  love, — grant  you 
44  abundant  supports  and  consolations — make  you  faithful  un- 
“ to  death.  May  he  bless  the  school,  and  prosper  the 
“ work  in  the  nation,  and  make  the  wilderness  and  solitary 
“ place  to  be  glad  for  you.— And  when  our  labours  and  trials 
44  on  earth  shall  be  finished,  in  his  infinite  mercy,  may  we 
44  meet  in  his  presence  above,  and  rejoice  in  his  glory  for- 
* ever.” 

When  he  arrived  at  Brainerd,  May  25,  he  was  ex- 
tremely feeble,  and  as  it  seems,  looked  upon  the  time  ol 
his  departure  as  near.  “ God,”  he  said,  44  is  very  gracious. 
44  He  has  sustained  me,  as  it  were  by  miracle,  thus  far,  and 


39 


" granted  me  one  great  desire  of  my  heart,  in  bringing  me 

* to  Brainerd.  And  if  it  be  agreeable  to  bis  holy  purposes, 
“ that  I should  leave  mv  poor  remains  here,  his  will  be 

* done.”  He  was  able  to  attend  to  no  business,  and  to 
speak  but  little.  In  few  words  he  addressed  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church,  and  some  of  the  congregation.  After 
that,  though  much  exhausted,  he  expressed  a particular 
desire  that  the  children  of  the  school,  according  to  their 
request,  should  come  in.  “ I want,” — he  said,  feebly,  and 
with  tears, — “ I want  to  see  all  my  dear  children,  and  to 
take  them  by  the  hand.”  They  were  then  called  in,  and 
he  took  each  of  them  by  the  hand,  as  they  passed  by  his 
dying  bed.  Having  all  passed  round  in  procession,  they 
stood  and  sung  a hvmn.  He  was  affected  to  tears  most 
of  the  time.  He  then,  in  the  most  affectionate  manner, 

addressed  them,  which  in  return  melted  them  to  tears 

There,  on  the  seventh  of 

June  in  the  morning, — at  that  consecrated  spot  in  the  wil- 
derness, dearer  far  to  him,  than  any  city  or  mansion  on 
earth,  this  servant  of  the  church,  worn  out  with  fatigue, 
and  exhausted  with  sickness,  lifted  up  his  eyes  towards 
heaven,  and  with  a delightful  smile  upon  his  countenance, 
fell  asleep  in  Jesus. 

The  grief  of  the  Missionaiy  family  on  this  occasion, 
you  shall  learn  from  their  own  language.  When  beginning 
to  write  their  Journal,  the  day  on  which  their  beloved 
counsellor  and  father  died,  they  thus  describe  the  over- 
whelming sorrow  of  their  hearts. — “ With  reluctance  we 


40 


“ enter  on  the  events  of  this  day.  Our  thoughts  recoil. 
“ Our  pen  stops. — Tears  darken  our  eyes. — We  seek 
“ where  to  weep.  We  enter  into  our  closets  and  weep 
“ there.  We  resolve  to  be  men,  and  not  children.  We 
“ resume  the  task.  Our  weakened  hands  refuse  to  per- 
“ form  their  office. — We  look  at  each  other,  and  say,  who 
“ shall  bear  the  doleful  tidings  ? A solemn  silence  casts  a 
“ still  darker  shade  over  the  gloomy  scene.  Eveiy  heart 
is  faint ; every  head  is  sick ; every  hand  is  weak.” 

But  the  Missionary  family  at  Brainerd  are  not  alone  in 
their  grief.  There  is  a general  mourning.  And  this  mourn- 
ing will  spread  through  various  and  distant  parts  of  the 
world,  as  soon  as  the  tidings  of  Dr  Worcester’s  death  shall 
be  heard.  Our  Missionaries  in  the  East,  and  in  the  West 
loved  him  and  confided  in  him,  as  a father,  by  whose  ma- 
ture wisdom  and  faithful  friendship  they  were  guided  and 
cheered  in  all  their  labours.  How  will  their  hearts  bleed, 
when  they  hear  that  this  beloved,  honoured  friend  is  no 
more  ! — I might  speak  of  the  sorrow  of  his  church  and 
society  ; of  the  Prudential  Committee  and  the  American 
Board  ; of  our  Theological  Seminary,  in  which  lie  had 
been  recently  called  to  the  office  of  a Visitor ; of  the 
Massachusetts  Missionary  Society,  and  the  American  Edu- 
cation Society,  and  of  other  religious  and  charitable  Socie- 
ties with  which  he  was  connected;  of  the  churches  and 
ministers  of  Christ ; of  all  the  friends  of  Missions,  and  all 
(he  friends  of  man. 


I 


41 

But  it  becomes  us,  brethren,  to  restrain  our  feelings, 
and  seriously  to  inquire,  in  what  manner  we  should  bear 
this  stroke  of  divine  providence,  and  what  use  we  should 
make  of  it. 

Here  let  us  bless  the  God  of  all  grace,  that  he  has 
prepared  a heaven  of  glory  and  blessedness  for  his  faithful 
servants.  O how  sweet  the  rest  of  heaven,  after  a wea- 
risome journey  through  this  wilderness.  How  blessed  to 
be  there  rid  of  all  imperfections  and  sins.  Imperfections 
and  sins  our  dear  brother  certainly  had,  or  he  could  not 
have  been  human.  He  confessed  them,  and  mourned  for 
them,  and  looked  to  the  blood  of  atonement  for  forgive- 
ness, or  he  could  not  have  been  a Christian.  But  from 
his  life  and  death,  we  have  the  best  reason  to  think  that 
he  now  sees  his  Saviour  face  to  face,  and  will  serve  him 
with  perfect  love,  and  enjoy  him  with  perfect  blessedness 
forever. 

We  ought,  brethren,  to  bless  God  for  raising  up  a 
man  of  so  distinguished  a character,  and  making  him  the 
instrument  of  so  much  good  to  the  church.  That  our  de- 
ceased brother  was  thus  fitted  for  the  important  places  he 
occupied  ; that  he  was  continued  so  long,  and  enabled  to 
make  such  efforts  for  the  salvation  of  men,  is  to  be  attrib- 
uted to  infinite  goodness. 

We  ought,  with  reverence  and  submission,  to  notice 
the  hand  of  God  in  the  place  and  circumstances  of  his  death. 

6 


42 


The  progress  of  the  divine  dispensations  may  soon  show, 
and  undoubtedly  the  light  of  eternity  will  show,  that  im- 
portant ends,  and  ends  very  near  his  heart,  w ere  answ  ered 
by  his  dying  at  a Missionary  station.  It  seems  as  though 
God  meant  in  this  affair,  to  set  aside  the  wishes  of  his 
relatives,  his  people,  and  his  fellow  labourers  here,  for  the 
sake  of  a great  public  good. — The  man,  who  has  here 
acted  the  most  conspicuous  part  in  the  Missionary  cause, 
and  who  has  secured  the  strongest,  tenderest  attachment 
of  the  Christian  community,  is  removed  from  his  family 
and  friends,  and  from  the  societies  and  individuals  with 
Avhom  he  was  so  closely  united  in  his  various  labours,  and 
is  carried  away,  by  the  divine  hand,  to  a spot  in  the  wil- 
derness,— a spot  on  which  have  centered  so  many  chari- 
ties, and  labours,  and  prayers.  He  is  carried  to  the  place 
where  our  beloved  Kingsbury,  with  so  much  ability  and 
success,  began  to  collect  and  teach  the  Indian  children. 
Though  a sick  and  dying  man,  he  has  this  great  desire  of 
bis  heart, — to  see  the  consecrated  place ; to  see  the  dear 
Missionary  family;  to  see  and  embrace  the  children  of 
the  forest,  now  the  children  of  a Christian  school;  and  in 
words  faint  and  few,  to  give  his  last  counsel,  his  dying  ben- 
ediction.— There  he  is,  in  the  most  tender  and  interesting 
moments  of  his  whole  life.  There  he  commits  his  soul  to 
his  God  and  Saviour.  There  his  body  lies  m the  dust. 
There  is  his  grave;  and  there  will  his  grave-stone  be 
erected. — And  now,  brethren,  the  happy  consequence  will 
be,  that  all  the  esteem  and  love,  which  Christians  in  A- 
mcrica  have  for  his  character,  all  their  gratitude  lor  his 


43 


services,  all  their  sympathy  for  his  sufferings,  and  all  their 
grief  at  his  death,  will  be  associated  with  that  Missionary 
establishment,  and  with  the  Missionary  cause.  1 he  recol- 
lection that  a man  so  great,  and  wise,  and  good,  went  to  die 
on  Missionary  ground,  must  excite  a new  interest  in  the 
public  mind.  It  will  plead  the  cause  of  Missions  with 
more  effect,  than  the  eloquence  of  a M hitefield.  The 
place  where  Dr  Worcester  died,  and  where  lie  sleeps  in 
the  grave,  will  be  indeed  a consecrated  place.  And  who 
can  ever  go  to  that  consecrated  place,  without  emotions  ol 
mingled  veneration  and  love  and  tenderness,  at  the  remem- 
brance of  the  devoted  minister  of  Christ,  who  came  there 
to  die.  But  in  the  minds  of  Christians,  that  place  will  be 
closely  united  with  the  cause  which  is  there  to  be  pro- 
moted. And  so  that  precious  cause  will  hereafter  stand 
out  to  public  view,  as  having  the  nearest  connexion  with 
all  that  was  great  and  useful  in  the  life,  and  all  that  was 
solemn  and  peaceful  in  the  death  of  this  beloved  servant 
of  God.  To  a cause  endeared  by  so  many  tender  and 
interesting  associations,  its  friends  will  hereafter  contribute 
with  more  liberality,  and  more  pleasure.  And  a cause, 
recommended  by  such  visible  proofs  of  its  magnitude  and 
excellence,  will  conciliate  the  cordial  attachment  of  many, 
by  whom  it  has  heretofore  been  disregarded. 

v 

And  now  let  me  say  to  you,  my  hearers, — and  would 
God  1 could  say  it  to  Christians  in  every  part  of  the  land, 
— if  you  wish,  by  some  suitable  mark,  to  express  the  af- 
fectionate veneration,  which  you  feel  for  the  character  of 


44 


this  servant  of  Christ;  promote  the  cause  which  he  loved. 
Promote  it  by  your  substance,  your  labours,  and  your 
prayers.  This  will  be  a far  better  token  of  respect  for 
his  memory,  than  applauses  or  tears. 

If  any  of  you,  brethren,  aspire  to  be  great  and  useful 
like  our  departed  brother;  then  copy  that,  in  which  his 
greatness  and  usefulness  consisted.  Be  devoted  to  the 
cause  of  Christ.  Let  that  cause  be  so  near  your  heart; 
let  your  affections,  and  desires,  and  pursuits  so  entirely 
centre  in  it,  that  it  may,  in  some  humble  measure,  be  your 
cause,  as  it  is  Christ's  cause.  If  you  have  Christian  be- 
nevolence, and  wish  to  increase  it ; give  it  proper  cultiva- 
tion. Do  not  set  this  celestial  plant  in  a dark,  cold,  nar- 
row place,  where  it  will  droop  and  die ; but  bring  it  forth 
to  open  day,  and  give  it  room  to  expand,  and  let  the  sun 
warm  it,  and  the  rains  of  heaven  fall  upon  it ; and  then  it 
will  grow,  and  become  a great  tree,  and  bear  abundant 
fruit,  which  shall  be  for  the  healing  of  the  nations. 

But,  Oh  ! my  brethren,  as  I am  about  to  close,  the 
sorrowful  theme  returns. — I look  around  me  in  this  sacred 
place,  where  our  brother  so  long  ministered  in  holy  things, 
and  where  I was  so  often  permitted  of  God  to  take  part 
in  his  ministrations  ; — I look  into  his  house,  where  I have 
so  many  times  enjoyed  his  edifying  discourse,  and  united 
with  hnn  in  family  worship  ; — I look  to  those  societies  and 
those  meetings  for  business,  where  his  presence  was  deem- 
ed so  important; — I look  to  the  Theological  Seminary. 


45 


which  hoped  long  to  enjoy  his  visits  ; — I look  here,  and 
there, — and,  lor  a moment  lost  in  recollection,  I ask,  where 
is  our  dear  brother  ? — But  Oil ! the  painful  thought, — he 
sleeps  in  death  ; — we  shall  sec  his  face  no  more. 

But  shall  wc  faint  under  this  heavy  stroke  ? Shall  his 
companions  in  labour — shall  the  friends  of  Missions — shall 
those  who  have  gone  to  the  heathen,  be  disheartened  by 
this  visitation,  and  say,  with  sinking  discouragement,  what 
can  we  do? — “Hast  thou  not  known,  hast  thou  not  heard, 
“ that  the  everlasting  God,  the  Lord,  the  Creator  of  the 
“ ends  of  the  earth  fainteth  not,  neither  is  weary  ? There 
“ is  no  searching  of  his  understanding.  He  giveth  power 
“ to  the  faint,  and  to  them  that  have  no  might,  he  increas- 
“ eth  strength.” — Did  not  the  unchangeable  God  create 
our  departed  brother,  and  furnish  him  for  his  work  ? Is 
the  power  of  God  diminished  ? Is  his  goodness  di- 
minished ? Is  not  he  as  watchful  a friend,  as  faith- 
ful a Guardian  of  the  Missionary  cause,  as  he  ever  has 
been?  Every  instance  in  which  he  raises  up  a great  and 
useful  man  to  bless  his  church,  is  a new  evidence  of 
his  inexhaustible  goodness,  and  of  his  unalterable  purpose  to 
carry  forward  the  work  of  love,  till  all  flesh  shall  be  sav- 
ed. God  will  repeat — he  will  multiply  these  evidences  of 
his  goodness.  So  our  beloved  brother  felt  in  the  last 
hours  of  his  life.  He  said,  “ Though  I am  taken  away 
“ from  this  delightful  labour,  the  Lord  lives,  and  will  raise 

“ up  other  instruments  to  carry  on  his  work.” Yes,  let 

every  Christian  say,  “ the  Lord  lives,  and  blessed  be  my 


46 


rock.”  He  will  not  l’orget  his  servants,  who  are  labouring 
and  suffering  for  him,  either  in  Christian  or  pagan  lands. 
To  any  of  us,  who  are  called  to  sustain  offices  of  high  mo- 
ment, and  to  perform  difficult  and  wearisome  duties,  espe- 
cially to  those,  whose  burden  of  care  and  labour  is  aug- 
mented by  this  afflictive  visitation,  he  will  not  refuse  to 
give  assistance  and  support.  How  gracious  and  cheering 
his  promise,  “ as  thy  day  is,  so  shall  thy  strength  be.” 
Additional  helpers  that  may  be  needed  in  our  great 
Christian  enterprises,  he  will  supply ; and  he  will  supply 
them  in  season.  In  that  day  of  glory  to  the  church, 
which  is  drawing  near,  God  will  raise  up  men,  who  will 
far  outshine  all  who  have  gone  before.  O could  you 
see  in  clear  prospect,  what  will  quickly  be  seen  as  a pres- 
ent reality,  how  would  your  hearts  leap  for  joy. — Friends 
of  Zion, — friends  of  the  Missionary  cause,  lift  up  your 
heads,  for  Jesus  lives.  Jesus,  infinitely  greater  than  all 
human  agents, — Jesus,  the  Saviour  of  the  world,  lives  and 
reigns  forever.  Amen. 


